Report compares HMO plans across Virginia

Just in time for many consumers' health insurance open enrollment period, Virginia Health Information Inc. released a report comparing health maintenance organizations in the state.

The report includes information on member satisfaction, prenatal and postpartum care, immunizations, financial information and care of various conditions, including mental health, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis and asthma, among others.

Consumers "can use this information to compare HMOs on issues important to them," said Michael T. Lundberg, Virginia Health Information executive director."This is very helpful to employers too. They can see independent rankings of HMOs that are unbiased ... based on nationally developed standards and State Corporation Commission's Bureau of Insurance filings."

At 86 percent, Optima Health topped the list for members highly rating their personal doctor or nurse. Aetna Health Inc. fell to the bottom, at 71 percent.

Optima also ranked highest for follow-up of mental illness hospitalization within a week of discharge, at 77 percent. CIGNA HealthCare of the Mid-Atlantic Inc. was lowest, at 51 percent.

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States Inc. led the way, with 82 percent of qualified women receiving breast cancer screenings. Optimum Choice Inc. was lowest, at 63 percent.

About 72 percent of qualified CIGNA HealthCare of the Mid-Atlantic Inc. plan members underwent colorectal cancer screenings, and UnitedHealthcare of the Mid-Atlantic Inc. came in lowest, at 55 percent.

The report will come in handy in the coming years as health insurance exchanges are formed as part of federal health care overhaul, Lundberg said. "We believe this type of information is exactly what consumers want ... so they can make more informed decisions," he said.